Bolt pattern and hub bore are the two numbers that decide whether a wheel bolts onto your car at all. Get them right first, then worry about width, offset and tire size.
What a bolt pattern is
A bolt pattern is written as lugs x circle diameter. 5x114.3 means five studs on a circle 114.3 mm across. The wheel has to match exactly. 5x114.3 and 5x112 look close but will not bolt on safely.
Hub bore (center bore)
The hub bore is the hole in the middle of the wheel that slides over your car's hub. Factory wheels fit the hub exactly, so the hub carries the weight and the lugs only clamp. That is called hub-centric.
Most aftermarket wheels have a bigger bore so they fit many cars. That leaves a gap. A hub-centric ring fills the gap and centers the wheel, which stops the vibration you can get at highway speed. Rings are cheap and we always recommend them when the bore is bigger than your hub.
Rule: the wheel's bore must be the same size as your hub or larger. A wheel with a smaller bore will not sit flat on the hub and cannot be used.
Common specs for the cars we cover
| Car | Bolt pattern | Hub bore | Lug thread |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Civic (2006+), Civic Si | 5x114.3 | 64.1 mm | M12 x 1.5 |
| Honda Civic Type R FK8 / FL5 | 5x120 | 64.1 mm | M14 x 1.5 |
| Acura Integra Type S DE5 | 5x120 | 64.1 mm | M14 x 1.5 |
| Subaru WRX (2015+) | 5x114.3 | 56.1 mm | M12 x 1.25 |
| Toyota GR86 / Subaru BRZ | 5x100 | 56.1 mm | M12 x 1.25 |
| Mazda MX-5 Miata ND | 4x100 | 54.1 mm | M12 x 1.5 |
| Nissan 350Z / 370Z / Z | 5x114.3 | 66.1 mm | M12 x 1.25 |
| Hyundai Elantra N / Veloster N | 5x114.3 | 67.1 mm | M12 x 1.5 |
| VW Golf GTI / Golf R (MK5 and newer) | 5x112 | 57.1 mm | M14 x 1.5 bolts |
| BMW M3 / M4 (G80 / G82) | 5x112 | 66.6 mm | M14 x 1.25 bolts |
| BMW 3 Series / M3 (E46 to F80) | 5x120 | 72.6 mm | M12 x 1.5 bolts |
| Toyota Supra A90 | 5x112 | 66.5 mm | M14 x 1.25 bolts |
Specs change between generations and sometimes between trims, like the Civic Type R moving to 5x120 while the regular Civic stays 5x114.3. That is why Add My Car asks for your generation and trim. It shows the exact numbers for your car.
Lug nuts vs lug bolts
Most Japanese and Korean cars use studs and lug nuts. Most German cars use lug bolts that thread into the hub. Either way the thread size has to match your car, and the seat has to match the wheel. Most aftermarket wheels use a 60ยฐ conical seat, while many factory wheels use ball or flat seats. Reusing factory hardware on aftermarket wheels is one of the most common mistakes. See lug nuts and hub-centric rings.
Adapters and multi-pattern wheels
- Dual-drilled wheels (like 5x112/5x114.3) are fine as long as one pattern matches your car exactly.
- Wheel adapters change one bolt pattern to another. They also push the wheel out by the adapter's thickness, so factor that into your offset.
- Wobble bolts exist for close patterns, but we do not recommend them for street or track use.